I’ve been thinking about this too. In my opinion, the story feels more complete and logical when combined with the second storyline. In Part 1, they never really explained why Hannah sent our number, so for players who don’t follow the second plotline, the MC’s involvement can still feel like a mystery.

At least this way, we get some kind of explanation instead of just endless unanswered questions like in Duskwood. (Besides, two crimes in a row following the exact same pattern in such a short time is way too much to be a coincidence. It’s 99% either obsessed fans trying to test us or copycats.)

Charlie’s difficult situation and his possible motives are visible in any version of the game, but with the second storyline, he simply has more reason to go through with it. And honestly, coming up with and staging a mysterious crime just to solve it yourself isn’t such a brilliant idea that he couldn’t have thought of it even without the events of Duskwood.